Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Greenbrier River Trail, Beartown State Park
Today we biked a second section of the Greenbrier River Trail, beginning in Marlinton
and riding north to yesterday's turnaround point, thus linking up our two rides. We parked at a trailhead downtown near the old C&O depot and water tank. A requisite rail-trail caboose also marks the path.
Marlinton Depot
Eye-catching cabin
C&O caboose
Railroad water tank
Shortly into the ride, an unexpected rain shower popped up, but we were able to duck under a shelter and let it pass. The rest of the ride was clear sailing. We've been very lucky with the weather on this trip!
Refuge from the rain
Greenbrier River
Today's trail segment featured Sharp's Tunnel and Bridge. The 511-foot-long tunnel was carved out of the rock in 1899. It's curved along its length, making it very dark inside since you can't see the exit. Tom had a good headlamp with him, but I couldn't see a thing!
Sharp's Bridge
Sharp's Tunnel south entrance
Inside the rocky tunnel
Tom and I rode through Sharp's Tunnel together, then I walked back through by the light of my phone for a closer look. Finally, we took turns riding through once again for some photo ops. Fun!
Sharp's Tunnel north entrance
Entering from the north
And exiting southbound
At 2:15 we reached our turnaround at the MM 69.6 campsite, yesterday's turnaround point as well coming from Cass. After a picnic, we started back to Marlinton. Though still late summer, a few leaves were already starting to turn. Soon it will be spectacular! We rode 28 miles today. Perhaps someday we'll return to ride the southern 50-plus miles of the Greenbrier River Trail.
Peaceful place
A touch of fall
Sneaky snake
There was still time after our ride to visit Beartown State Park, a 110-acre natural area on the summit of Droop Mountain. The road up the mountain through the surrounding forest is steep, narrow, and gloomy. Once at the top, a half-mile boardwalk winds in a confused manner through a jumble of odd boulders, vertical cliffs, and deep crevices. Very cool and a bit spooky, especially since we were all alone up there.
Beartown State Park
Cool crevice
Meandering boardwalk
Spooky skull
On the way back to Marlinton, we stopped for a few fun photos in the tiny towns of Hillsboro and Buckeye. At first I thought the bookstore was a joke, but it's an honest-to-goodness business, open on weekends April through October. I love West Virginia even more now.
Deer before dark
Flying fish
Creepy creature
Bookstore in Buckeye
Since the motel bar was closed again tonight, at dinnertime we headed to Old Mountain Tavern in downtown Marlinton. With scant cell coverage, the bar patrons have nothing better to do than engage with one another. Eye contact was abundant and actual conversations were taking place all around us. One of the bartenders had gone riding today and recognized us from the trail!
Old Mountain Tavern
The tavern is attached to Alfredo's Italian & Greek Restaurant. We ordered at the bar, and the food arrived shortly thereafter from next door - spicy chicken pasta for me and lasagna for Tom. It was great, and the portions were huge. We imbibed on West Virginia craft brews Big Timber porter and Greenbrier Valley Bat Boy black lager. Fantabulous!
Great beer label
Tom
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